Muslim fans of Manchester United have been told they must not wear team shirts that bear the club crest — because it glorifies the devil.

The warning has come from Malaysian clerics who have declared the club shirts un-Islamic. Brazil, Portugal, Barcelona, Serbia and Norway shirts, all of which carry images of the cross on their team emblems, are also on the banned list.

“Muslims should not worship the symbols of other religions or the devils,” said Nooh Gadot, an Islamic cleric from Johor state.

He added: “Even if it is a gift, we should decline it. It is even more sinful when people realise this is wrong and still buy these jerseys to wear.”